Title: Her Iron Curtain
Official Summary: Playboy, Inuyasha Takahashi, was less than thrilled when his parents forced him to live in a secluded and quiet small town for the summer. He could be partying right now! It also didn't help that he'll be living with such a reserved roommate, Kagome Higurashi - who for some reason needed to be covered at all times. It seems, the more he tried to crack her barrier, the more she hid from him. Why?
Rated: Mature (So please, read at your own discretion)
Disclaimer: Inu-Yasha and the many other characters are owned by Rumiko Takahashi.
A/N: This chapter's a little short. It's for character development so I struggled a little because I'm still uncertain as to how Kagome should be. I also tried to make it interesting and worth the read, so I hope you guys enjoy!
I would love to thank my readers once again and to my reviewers! Thanks for the encouragement and support! :)
P.S. Sorry for the late update. I took spring classes and just had a final!
Chapter Two
Her fingers aren't tangled with mine anymore but their low temperature made me want to come back and warm them. They were so slender that I wondered whether her body was also the same.
"Want some breakfast?" Kaede asked, already grabbing plates and utensils for me. I flinched in surprise. I can't believe I forgot Kaede's presence. Why? Because I was preoccupied by the thoughts of the woman I've just met. I shook my head in disbelief, Maybe I was jet lagged.
"Yes, I'm starving!" I growled, clutching my stomach like something was about to come out of it.
After giving me a look, Kagome got up.
I watched as her jacket sagged down to mid-thigh and her slacks piled up at her feet. What size are those clothes? They're at least five times too big. I mean, they're even way too large for me!
She made her way to the marbled island in the middle of the room and grabbed the other half of the banana. Why take half when you're going to end up eating the whole thing anyway?
My answer was soon answered when she walked up to me and handed me the fruit.
"Here," she muttered.
"Uhh-" I said, raising a brow, "thanks?"
Her faced turned tomato red as she bit her lips. Just as I was about to accept it, she swiped it back and mumbled something I didn't catch.
"What?" I asked, confused and a little amused.
"Never mind, I-I just thought t-that you might want something light before you have b-breakfast," she stuttered, still unable to meet my eyes.
I grabbed hold of her hands and purposely caressed her fingers before taking her offering, "Thank you." I whispered deliberately. She's easier to manipulate than I thought. I can't believe she's already trying to please me and all I've done was say she was sexy!
She nodded slightly before scurrying back to her seat, taking the newspaper that was propped in the table.
I ate the banana in two bites, hurrying to finish it so when Kaede gave me food I would be ready.
As I chewed the fruit, I noticed Kagome's eyes on me.
"What?" I asked with a mouthful, my eyes holding a mischievous glint.
She stared at me with uncertainty.
"Nothing," she mumbled, looking down and playing with her food.
"What is it?" I pressed, wondering why she was giving me that look. It made me worry, like when your friend refuses to tell you something and you worry to the point that you think of the worst case scenarios. Yeah, that kind of worry.
I guess she noticed the dread in my eyes for she cringed, brought the newspaper up and showed me the picture. This time it was a huge picture of me and on the bottom right, a bubble of what I did yesterday. The paparazzi apparently believe that my parents disowned me.
"I'm sorry," she said, her voice held pity mixed with empathy.
"Don't believe that bullshit," I stated confidently, "it's not true - well, except for that image in the bottom, that happened yesterday."
I expected her to be appalled by my lack of manners or maybe egotistic answer but instead, she gazed up in awe, her lips parted slightly.
"Don't worry Kagome, if he was disowned, they wouldn't waste the money in shipping him all the way here," Kaede assured.
"That's good to hear." Kagome nodded and got back to reading the paper.
Ring! The phone rang from the living room.
"It's probably your mother," Kaede said, her lips forming in huge smile.
Once she was out of the room, I turned to Kagome and studied her. She was a weird one alright. No make-up, frizzy hair, odd behaviour - not to mention her lack of fashion style. I expected her to talk more since it was just the two of us, but she hasn't even looked up from the newspaper once.
"Can I have the entertainment section?" I asked, already had enough of the silence.
"Uhh," she fumbled around to find it and when she did, she did a quick scan and hesitantly handed it to me.
"Thanks," I said.
I only read through the main topics. I breezed through success of new and old actors, the success of some sports teams and the birth of North West - I had to reread the article in order make sure I wasn't misreading anything. The thing that made my jaw drop wasn't the absurd name though, but the picture of my cousin grinning from ear to ear as he shook somebody's hand. I guess I'm the only one who refuses to take after their parents.
Finally losing interest, I looked across and found Kagome still focused intensely on the news section. Her hair cascading down like waterfalls as they almost covered her face. The area in between her brows scrunched up in worry, shaking her head.
"Kagome," I called, noticing her hair brushing her food. She didn't seem to notice as her attention locked on whatever she was reading.
I leaned in close to her and reached for her hair, "Hey," I said, grabbing her hair and pushing it to the side, "your-"
She froze, looked at me in worry and slapped my hand away. Her little panic causing her chair to tilt backwards but before she fell, she flapped her hands in front of me and tried to grab whatever she could. Unfortunately, the first thing she got a hold of was my long hair.
"Ow!" I screamed, leaning in surrender and fell with her. My hands were on either side of her head to support myself, our bodies displayed awkwardly around the chair.
It was just a moment but I saw one of her beautiful charcoal eyes widen in surprise; her hair framing her face on one side while the other hid it.
It all happened so fast that I regret the lack of detail I saw. She placed both hands on her face, her chest rising and falling in an exaggerated way.
"Are you okay?" I asked, moving away from her. I helped her up and was shocked at how light she was.
"What do you think you were doing?" She spat after getting up. "You can't just suddenly sneak up on people and touch them? Have you heard of manners before. It's only polite to keep distance to the people you aren't familiar with, let alone somebody you've just met!"
I fell into fits of laughter. Who knew she would blow up like that? I just touched her hair and she's acting as if I've killed a puppy of something! Her face was red with anger, her lips trembling and her hands formed in fists.
"What's so funny?" She demanded, her voice cracking a bit.
Shit, I think I took it too far. If there's anything I hate in this world, it's sensitive women. They're way to vulnerable and clingy. I would know, I dated one.
I held up a hand in defense, saying, "Your hair was on your food. I just thought I'd move it out of the way is all, nothing else."
She dropped her head, clutched the left hand side of her jacket and sighed with relief. "I'm sorry," she said, seeming to be relieved about my direct answer. From the corners of my eyes, I could see her body retract into a ball once again, her shoulders slumped.
These awkward silences need to stop and because of pure boredom, I did something I haven't done in a long time. I spoke to a woman without thinking.
"So you don't like physical contact?" No shit Sherlocke, that's why she didn't fall backwards and yell at me. Damn, I'm so stupid.
She thought for a while before answering, "I just don't like people touching my hair."
Something tells me that this wasn't just about her hair but I nodded, making a mental note.
Rule number one, don't touch the hair.
End of Chapter Two